WCML Open Access Applications Rejected

[Class 170101]

The problems are that 2tph isn't enough for London to Hemel or Northampton, especially given how urgently HS2 was – is – needed, I don't think replacing slow path services is appropriate for a London to Welsh Borders route, and I don't know if that would cut enough for capacity not to be an issue past Rugby anyway.

I'm confused, thats what Northampton has now 2tph. Hemel to London is 4tph.

Extra services to destinations north of Rugby won't change by reducing services on the slow lines south Milton Keynes.

 

[A S Leib]

I'm confused, thats what Northampton has now 2tph. Hemel to London is 4tph.

I should have said that fewer services to Hemel or Northampton would be too few.

Extra services to destinations north of Rugby won't change by reducing services on the slow lines south Milton Keynes.

Agreed.

 

[Class 170101]

I'm not sure the stopping train down the WCML followed by a glacial trundle round the WLL will attract many people to get to Gatwick that way.

Whilst there is a point at which your argument is true I would point out that direct trains are more popular than where you have to change.

 

[Zomboid]

Whilst there is a point at which your argument is true I would point out that direct trains are more popular than where you have to change.

True, but I would be surprised if the old Southern service would have actually appeared in journey planners for stations north of Watford considering how slow it was (unless you specify via Shepherds Bush as a route). A short hop on the Victoria Line From Euston to Victoria would probably have come out faster.

 

[43074]

West Midlands Trains are in absolutely no position to extend any of their services to either Manchester Airport or Manchester city centre - and won't be for years. That idea will eventually just fade away. I suspect their announcement that they would look at this was little more than a PR exercise during a time Abellio/Transport UK were still hoping to apply pressure to keep TOCs in private hands.

Bold claim - contradicts informed posts earlier on in the thread suggesting Manchester Airport was the more likely of the two to happen, and indeed that it was at quite an advanced stage of development.

 

[A S Leib]

True, but I would be surprised if the old Southern service would have actually appeared in journey planners for stations north of Watford considering how slow it was (unless you specify via Shepherds Bush as a route). A short hop on the Victoria Line From Euston to Victoria would probably have come out faster.

Journey planners would give a 44 minute connection time for Euston to Victoria compared to a five minute minimum between Southern services at Clapham Junction. The National Rail journey planner gives 1:12 for leaving Watford Junction at 12:56 or at least 1:27 via Victoria.

 

[Starmill]

Bold claim - contradicts informed posts earlier on in the thread suggesting Manchester Airport was the more likely of the two to happen, and indeed that it was at quite an advanced stage of development.

They've obviously put some work into modelling it and they obviously believe there's a positive business case.

What there's apparently not is an answer for how to ensure no loss of capacity and journey opportunities for Alderley Edge, Holmes Chapel and Sandbach. It will be impossible to sell the benefits if that involves cutting Sandbach - Crewe down to 1tph and no direct services to Manchester Airport any more, for example.